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Finnish Samurai claims victory
Finnish ripper, Marku Koski, dominated tonight’s 45 minute
O’Neill SB-Jam finals with an intense, rapid fire, display of freestyle
snowboarding wizardry to take the converted SB-Jam “Ruler of the
Night” crown and the 5th Ticket To Ride (TTR) medallion. In doing
so booking his spot at the formidable Arctic Challenge event in
Norway (29th March – 4th April 2004).
Wearing the number 54
bib, Koski laid down a sick display of no holds barred progressive
snowboarding, stomping insane 9’s over the massive kicker and in
the pipe before closing each run with on the edge slides over the
many rails adorning the set up.
Clear winner from halfway mark
Despite sterling displays from the Teter brothers, Finch, Haugo,
Hoffmann, Muller and Simmen, by the mid way point of the 45-minute
jam session it soon became clear that Koski was in possession of
the most extensive trick arsenal of the night and was using his
mighty fire-power wisely, blowing the 30 strong field and the 10.000
assembled spectators away with his blistering performance.
New Year under floodlights
As the minutes of 2003 drained away the whole mountain rocked as
it received a barrage from the worlds snowboarding elite. Under
the gaze of the powerful floodlights the 45-minute final jam session
kicked of at 23:00 and continued right up until the New Year. A
15-minute Jam on the super pipe was followed by a 15-minute kicker
storm. The proceedings were rounded off with an almighty assault
on all the apparatus with Gian Simmen and Dani Costandaché doubling
up on the super pipe for one final run to mark the end of the 2003
SB-Jam.
The riders judged the
final, with the help of panel of TTR orientated judges. After all
votes were counted Koski had racked up the majority with his fresh
and innovative interpretation of the Jakobshorn set up earning him
the “Ruler of the Night” title, the lions share of the 30.000 prize
purse and the converted TTR medallion. Koski now joins Joni Malmi
(FIN) Shaun White (USA) Rio Tahara and Travis Rice (USA) as the
fifth qualifier to the formidable, season end Arctic Challenge in
Norway.
Super stoked to ride
'I’m just super stoked to come here and ride' said Koski as the
crowd invaded the pipe. 'I had no idea that I had won. I was just
riding and having fun, just busting big airs with Eero and the boys
and not really thinking about the fact we were in a contest. It
was good to be back I was here last year so I was super happy to
come back and ride again and win. It’s such a laid back event and
I think everyone rides better when there is no stress. It’s incredible
to see so many people come out to watch. It’s going to be a massive
party tonight that’s for sure!' he added.
King of the rails
Individual honors were also up for grabs during the final session
of 2003. Yesterdays stand out qualifier Vincent Lups from Germany
claimed the “Ruler of the Kicker” title while the pipe master honors
went to, Germanys Xaver Hoffman. Finnish Eero Ettala also lived
up to his reputation as king of the rails entering the New Year
with another title under his belt, ruler of the SB-Jam Rails!
“I don’t know if I deserve to be the ruler of the rails. Maybe it
should have gone to Thomas Harstad instead?” Said Ettala. “I’m just
happy to be here, so winning is a bonus I’m stoked for my buddy
Markku (Koski) winning the TTR medallion is insane!!” he added.
With champagne corks flying and a firework display blitzing the
contest site the New Years celebrations are set to career throughout
the night in the O’Neill tents. The buzz that started in Davos yesterday
with the qualifying rounds snowballed and by the time Ninja Markku
Koski claimed the events top honor at the stroke of midnight the
atmosphere had reached fever pitch. An epic end to an epic contest!
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